Joe McHugh, an accomplished storyteller and old-time fiddler, has put down his bow and picked up the pen to entertain us with a collection of supernatural tales about violins and fiddlers. A hotel haunted at midnight by the eerie sound of a fiddle, a dancing skeleton and a pirate’s buried treasure, a romantic rivalry between sisters that leads to foul murder, an ill-advised bargain with the Devil during the rough and tumble days of the California Gold Rush, these are just a few of the unexpected delights to be found within these pages. Each is an original tale, inspired by ancient myths and folk beliefs, and told with reverence for this most mysterious and seductive of all musical instruments—the violin.

“I am currently reading up a storm and am nearing the end, sigh, of Joe’s WONDERFUL book! I just love Phantom Fiddler! Joe’s attention to detail, real research, quirky humor, and vividly drawn personages make this book a delight! I look forward to giving these as gifts. Joe McHugh really does have the touch.”
~Jeanie Murphy, Port Townsend, WA

“I enjoyed Phantom Fiddler. Maybe as a result of being a "not so great" fiddler I could really relate to the tale, "Shaving a Dead Man," I'll look forward to reading more of Mr. McHugh's work, especially those dealing with fiddling. A great read!”
~Frank Phelps, Ennice, N.C.

“A wonderful book!”
~Erik Breslau, Sào Paulo, Brazil

“I really enjoyed Phantom Fiddler. When I read the Sailor’s Hornpipe story, I could only imagine "what if"....my grandpa had left such a note and such a legacy to me...it made me smile all over, I do love a good ghost story.”
~Sherry Frazier, Galax Fiddler’s Convention

“Great stories! Lost a couple hours of sleep last night because I couldn’t stop reading!”
~Scott Marckx, violin maker